Featured Leaders

The South Main Alliance and the Main Street Coalition organized in 1976 and 1997, respectively, have joined forces. These organizations are led by prominent Houstonians who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and judgment. Our organizations work closely with key governmental officials and community leaders in order to advance policies and projects that benefit the area we serve.

Joel Cowley
President & CEO
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Joel Cowley became President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo on August 5, 2013, bringing a career as a cattle specialist with Certified Angus Beef LLC, and with education in animal science from Texas A&M University, the Colorado State University and Michigan State University. Cowley has attended every Houston Livestock Show since 1988 as either a coach, livestock judge or employee, and was a contestant in 1985.

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.
CEO, Texas Medical Center

Robert C. Robbins, M.D. assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of Texas Medical Center on November 5, 2012. Dr. Robbins was the Director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and Chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. He succeeded Dr. Richard E. Wainerdi who had lead the Texas Medical Center over the last 28 years and built a secure and sound foundation.

In 2012, Houston native Gary Tinterow became the 7th MFAH director succeeding the late Peter Marzio. Tinterow is an internationally recognized curator and scholar who comes to MFAH from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tinterow believes that “the MFAH is perfectly positioned to become one of the best museums in the world.”

In 1997, the Main Street Coalition was formed to transform Main Street into Houston’s signature boulevard. The initial focus was been the seven miles of Main Street that connect the Texas Medical Center, Rice University, Hermann Park, Reliant Park, the Museum District, two Houston Community College campuses, Midtown and the Central Business District. Here, the Main Street corridor offers civic assets that are the envy of any city anywhere. Much has been accomplished by the Main Street Coalition and its many partners, but more needs to be done for the Main Street corridor to continue to be an engine for change for Houston in the 21st century and beyond.Visit Main Street Coalition and South Main Alliance Joint Efforts with Main Street Coalition for more information.